Malaysia Airlines takes off as MAB

1 Sep 2015 by Clement Huang

Malaysia Airlines System (MAS) has officially ceased all operations, with new holding company Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) having taken over complete control of Malaysia Airlines, it has been announced

The national carrier of Malaysia will henceforth be known as MAB.

Flight MH149, which departed August 31 from Kuala Lumpur at 2350 for Melbourne was the last flight under MAS. Then at 0015 September 1, flight MH433 from Hong Kong became the very first MAB service to arrive in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

MAB was granted its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) on August 28, and the transition has had no impact on the airline’s day-to-day operations, according to MAB. Flight schedules, reservations and the carrier’s official website are unchanged.

MAB added that members of its Enrich frequent flyer programme would not be affected by the changes.

“Our Enrich programme remains in place with no changes to Miles and status. Similarly, there are no changes planned to MAB’s arrangements with its alliance partners, Oneworld, or any of its business partners,” it said.

Meanwhile, the airline has also confirmed that it has ceased operations of its lounges in Singapore and Perth. Business class passengers, as well as Enrich Platinum and Gold members, are now directed to the Premier Lounge in Terminal 2 at Singapore Changi Airport. Likewise, those in Perth are offered use of the Qantas International Business Lounge.

MAB chief executive Christoph Mueller previously announced that MAB would be introducing a new business class product. While an exact date has not yet been announced, MAB confirmed that the new cabin product will be introduced in 2016.